Molumby and Diangana dropped, 4-2-3-1: The predicted West Brom XI to face Blackburn on Saturday | OneFootball

West Bromwich Albion will be aiming to return to winning ways in the Championship when they entertain Blackburn Rovers at The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon.

The Baggies slumped to a 1-0 defeat away at Swansea City in their last taste of second tier action but earned a morale-boosting victory in the third round of the FA Cup last weekend against Aldershot Town.

The beginning of the new year will be a testing one for Carlos Corberan’s men, who are without a number of key players heading into their clash with Rovers.

Semi Ajayi and Grady Diangana are both unavailable due to their participation in the African Cup of Nations, while Jed Wallace, Jayson Molumby and John Swift have all had injury concerns heading into the match.

Albion did welcome back forward Daryl Dike after a nine-month spell on the sidelines as he grabbed his first goal back in a blue and white shirt in the victory over the Shots.

West Brom will take confidence over the fact their opponents are winless in their last five Championship outings as they look to extend a superb run of form on home soil.

Here at Football League World, we predict West Brom’s starting XI to take on Blackburn in B71.

GK: Alex Palmer

Palmer has started every league game this season for the Baggies and tops the clean sheet tally with 12.

After being given last weekend off in the cup, the 27-year-old is expected to return between the posts.

RB: Darnell Furlong

Furlong was another member of the first team squad to be given a rest last weekend and was deputised by Pipa.

The former QPR man has started the last 12 Championship games and is on course to make it eight.

CB: Cedric Kipre

Starting at the heart of the defence looks set to be Kipre, who continues to have an outstanding season under Corberan.

After returning from his loan spell at Cardiff City, the Ivorian has been transformed under the Spaniard and has started 25 of their 26 league matches so far this term.

CB: Kyle Bartley

Continuing the partnership should be Bartley, who completed 63 minutes of action last week in the FA Cup.

An early withdrawal in the game should be a good indication he will start again.

LB: Conor Townsend

Rounding off the defence is Townsend, who was not available against Aldershot after struggling to train throughout last week.

However, another full week of training should see the 30-year-old return to the first team picture.

CM: Okay Yokuslu

Starting off in central midfield should be Yokuslu, who continues to earn a regular starting spot in the side.

The Turkish international will have to maintain a doggedness in midfield to protect the back four and shut down any pressure applied from the Blackburn forward line.

CM: Alex Mowatt

Partnering Yokuslu once again is likely to be Mowatt, who, similarly to Kipre, has made himself a first team mainstay since returning to the club this campaign.

The former Barnsley midfielder has failed to find the back of the net since September last year against Preston and will be aiming to contribute more attacking returns in the second half of the season.

With a late decision being made on Wallace’s involvement, Fellows could be in line for another start on the right flank.

The Albion academy graduate grabbed his first goal for the club last weekend as he continues his impressive breakthrough season, with the aim now of netting his first league strike.

LW: Adam Reach

Due to Diangana’s absence, a spot on the left wing has opened up, and Reach is expected to fill the role if he is fit enough.

Reach suffered a quad muscle problem which ruled him out of the tie with Aldershot, but he could return after a full week of training under his belt.

AM: John Swift

With Molumby ruled out of this game with a foot injury, Swift could be in line for a return to the team after recent issues himself.

Swift has missed Albion’s last two domestic games with a calf problem, but Corberan confirmed a scan flagged up no injury, which has allowed the 28-year-old to train during the week.

If all goes well, the playmaker should slot back into his role behind the striker and give the team a huge boost with his presence in the final third.

Despite Dike making a highly anticipated return last weekend, Thomas-Asante looks set to resume duties up front as the American continues to build up his match fitness.